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Carlisle nightclub struggling with debt problems closed

Club Rock in Englishgate Plaza, off Botchergate in the city, shut its doors this week when the premises were emptied.

Its closure is the second blow to the city’s nightlife and entertainment scene in a week, after nearby Indian restaurant Teza stopped trading.

Club Rock, which opened in 2010, was put into liquidation after owner Dan Russell revealed it had run into debt.

The Newcastle-based insolvency practitioner firm which is handling the insolvency process, Robson Laidler, held meetings in Carlisle on Monday.

Khal Moulem, the city-based agent for the landlord which owns the Club Rock building, said: “I understand a meeting was held and they went in and took the stock out. Club Rock is closed for the time being.”

The amounts owed by the two clubs have not been revealed by Mr Russell.

Cash problems also affect the Outrageous club in Lowther Arcade, another of the businessman’s interests.

It comes just six months after it was revealed that Mr Russell had battled his way back to health after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage.

He said the problems facing the clubs do not affect his other businesses, a martial arts school and property rental service.

Speaking to the News & Star earlier this month, he said: “I don’t believe that Outrageous will close. I believe it will continue under new management. But I do doubt Club Rock will continue.”

Mr Russell blamed the financial problems with the latter club on the level of rent demanded by the building’s London-based landlord.

The creditors’ meeting for Dan Russell and Atlas Developments Ltd, was held at the Hallmark Hotel on Monday.

A separate meeting concerning Outrageous was also held.

Teza closed its doors last week, with its entire contents spirited away in the middle of the night amid a bitter dispute over £60,000 in rent and fixtures and fittings.